[Velorian Imperial Academy's Grand Hall]
The great hall was filled with chatter.
Rows of posters covered massive boards at the front, right and left walls, each sheet bearing the name of a club.
"Embroidery Club? Pass. Too girly."
"What are you saying? Tailoring Club is prestigious. Didn't you know the Crown Prince himself once—"
"Whatever. I'm going to the Mage Research Society. They say third-years are experimenting with runic cores."
"No way, that's all theory. Combat Club's where the real prestige is."
Different cliques argued, laughed, and compared notes, their dark blue uniforms distinguished only by the color of their ties. White for third years, black for second, light blue for first.
Amid the crowd, a red-haired girl held her books tightly to her chest, her pale fingers pressed against the edges of the pages. A few loose sheets peeked out between the covers.
Her eyes soft but restless swept across the board, tracing each poster one by one.
"…Drama Club?"
